Do These Shorts Make My Knees Look Fat?

Summer weather means shorts, which requires showing off those legs -- a thought that can incite terror for some people. Unfortunately, no matter how many squats or lunges one does, fat and saggy skin around the knees can be as persistent as cellulite, driving some to the plastic surgeon for a way to take care of it.

If you’re knee-insecure, here’s what you need to know about the options that can make summer clothes a little more bearable:

Skin Tightening

Chubbiness isn’t the only issue people have with their knees--sagging skin can also be an irritant. Demi Moorewas rumored to have had a knee lift to correct this problem, but doctors say that's not an ideal solution.

According to Dr. George Beraka, when it comes to sagging knee skin “surgery is not an option because the [resulting] scars are unacceptable.” Instead, he recommends Thermage for some minor improvement, assuming that the patient has “very realistic expectations.”

Cellulite

Cellulite around the knees is a tricky issue. Pre-Cellulaze, Dr. Hisham Seify said that “endermologie techniques and Velashape could help to a certain extent” if the patient isn’t expecting a major transformation.

If chubby or aging knees are something you want to address with a cosmetic procedure, your best bet is to consult with a trusted doctor who can recommend the right course of action (assuming you’re an appropriate candidate). Don’t hesitate to ask for before and after photos because the general consensus among the doctors is that removing fat around the knee leads to more subtle results, and you ought to decide whether it’s worth the time and money for you.